Massachusetts Hospital Association Supports Temporary Gubernatorial Appointment To Fill U.S. Senate Seat

BURLINGTON, MA - Noting that the state and nation are facing important challenges,  "including the fast-tracked development and approval of federal healthcare reform legislation," the Massachusetts Hospital Association (MHA) today urged Governor Deval Patrick, Senate President Therese Murray, and House Speaker Robert DeLeo to pass legislation allowing a temporary gubernatorial appointment of an interim U.S. Senator until a special election is held.
 
Secretary of the Commonwealth William F. Galvin announced this afternoon that a special election for the seat formerly held by the late Senator Edward M. Kennedy would occur on Tuesday, January 19, 2010. The primary would be held on December 8, 2008.
 
MHA President & CEO Lynn Nicholas, FACHE, wrote in her letter to the three state officials, "While we understand that amending the law is ripe with its own set of challenges, the current special election process would leave Massachusetts with a vacancy in the Senate for 145 to 160 days. With numerous important issues facing our state and nation, including the fast-tracked development and approval of federal healthcare reform legislation, it is imperative that the Massachusetts delegation be fully in place to represent the needs and interests of our citizenry."
 
The full text of the letter follows:
 
His Excellency Deval Patrick
The Honorable Therese Murray
The Honorable Robert DeLeo
The State House
Boston, MA  02133
 
Dear Governor Patrick, President Murray, and Speaker DeLeo:
 
The Massachusetts Hospital Association (MHA) supports Senator Edward M. Kennedy's request for a legislative amendment that would allow a temporary gubernatorial appointment of an interim Senator until the special election to fill his seat is held. We support this request not only to honor Senator Kennedy's lifetime of service to the people of the Commonwealth, but also because we strongly believe that Massachusetts needs two voting members in the Senate, especially during the challenging times we are currently facing.
 
While we understand that amending the law is ripe with its own set of challenges, the current special election process would leave Massachusetts with a vacancy in the Senate for 145 to 160 days. With numerous important issues facing our state and nation, including the fast-tracked development and approval of federal health care reform legislation, it is imperative that the Massachusetts delegation be fully in place to represent the needs and interests of our citizenry.    
 
While it is clear the no one can fill the shoes of the beloved Senator Kennedy, it is important that someone is able to step into his place and give voice to his priorities until a new Senator is duly elected.

On behalf of the hospitals and health systems we represent, MHA respectfully urges you to expeditiously approve a statutory change that would allow a temporary gubernatorial designee to fill this important role.
 
Sincerely,
 
Lynn Nicholas
 
 
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